Stop Starving: Eating Disorder Myths and Tips Disproven.

 SPECIAL EDITION: 
Athletes and Exercise

Athletes of certain sports (gymnastics, ballet, wrestling, swimming, rowing, figure skating) have an increased risk for developing an eating disorder. Why is this?

1. Some sports require the athlete to maintain strict weight requirements to fly higher or compete at a lower weight class. Sadly, at a low enough weight performance can suffer and injury often occurs.
2. A person that competes in sports usually has a high level of competitiveness and commitment to a goal. This drive to succeed and commit to a goal can turn weight loss into an eating disorder. A fixation develops on achieving the optimal weight.
3. This population has many cheerleaders to fuel on the eating disorder. Parents and coaches may be supportive of the sport and competition, but not see the underlying condition.  Or even worse, they may choose to ignore it.

Consequently, their are many athletes with eating disorders, even at the professional level. Sadly, the road to recovery is long, and many individuals never make  it.

The ballerina Heidi Guenther was 'encouraged' to lose weight by her ballet company. Over time, she developed anorexia and dropped from 115 to 93 pounds. She died at the age of 22.

Keep and eye on the athletes in your life. If they are in a weight-restrictive sports and seem troubled lead them to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website.

There is a movement being created to teach this population of athletes how to have a healthy body image and still maintain a competitive edge in sports.